Apparatus for fastening elastic tapes to rigid frames



Oct. 10, 1961 P. REGGIANI 3,003,162

APPARATUS FOR FASTENING ELASTIC TAPES TO RIGID FRAMES Original Filed Oct. 10, 1955 FIG. 2 In JNVENTOR. P l O REC-i6 lNNl BY ATTORNEYS United States This invention pertains to means for fastening one or more elastic tapes to rigid frames across which the tapes are stretched when in fastened condition; and more particularly has reference to structures (rigid frame-tape units) used in the construction of furniture, e.g. chairs, settees, beds and the like, wherein a plurality of tapes of the structure provide a resilient support for a cushion, mattress, padding or other upholstery material. The term upholstery, as here used, will be understood to include a loose cushion or mattress, simply resting on or against the tapes of the structure (frame-tape unit). However, the invention is not limited to structures of the furniture art, but is of broad scope, both as regards the component materials of the rigid frames and tapes, as well as, the number, width and arrangement of the tapes in reference to their frames.

This application is a division of my copending application, Serial No. 539,545, filed October 10, 1955, now Patent No. 2,922,170 and covers the third (form C) of the four general forms (A, B, C and D) of my invention, mentioned in column 1, line 64 of that application. The form of invention herein disclosed (identified as form C) is particularly applicable to rigid frames comprised of at least one pair of oppositely disposed, metal side members having U-shaped cross-sections, to which a plurality of tapes are fastened.

The invention will now be further described with reference the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 illustrate respectively three alternative forms of anchorage plate; that of FIGURE 1 being the same as the anchorage plate shown in FIGURE 1 of my cited copending application;

FIGURE 4 illustrates a construction in which the spikes of the anchorage are formed integrally with their supporting metal frame member which has a square tJ-shaped' cross-section with horizontally disposed parallel flanges connected by an integral web element;

FIGURE 5 illustrates the same arrangement as in FIG- URE 4, but with a different form of spike;

FIGURE 6 illustrates an arrangement similar to FIG- URE 4, in which a separate anchorage plate, as shown in FIGURE 2, is used to attach the tape to its supporting frame member;

FIGURE 7 illustrates an arrangement similar to FIG- URE 6, except that the anchorage plate shown in FIG- URE 1 is used, and is seated in a slot formed by a continuous flange on the supporting frame member;

FIGURE 8 shows a construction similar to that of FIGURE 6, except as to the form of flange lugs used to secure the anchorage plate to its supporting frame memher.

The anchorage plate 1 of FIGURE 1 is a fiat, rectangular, rigid metal plate having integral fingers 2 for engagement with preformed holes punched in the tape, as described in connection with FIGURES 1 and 2 of my cited copending application.

In FIGURE 2, the anchorage plate 3 is similar to plate 1 of FIGURE 1, except that it has integral, sharp-pointed spikes 4 which are forced through the thickness of the tape, in the operation of securing the latter to the frame member; and in FIGURE 3, plate 311 also has an ematent cept that the spikes 12 are bossment 5 which centers the plate between retaining lugs 13, on flange 8, as shown in FIGURE 8.

It will be seen from the FIGURES 4 to 8, that the rigid frame member 6 is composed of rigid material (sheet metal), having a square U-shaped cross-section, with horizontally disposed parallel flanges 7 and 8, connected by a web element 9; the particular section shown in FIG- URES 4 to 8 being an encumbent U, with the spikes or fingers, arranged along the free edge of the lower flange 8 of the section, i.e. the flange remote from the general plane of the tapes. Alternatively, instead of a U shape, the rigid frame member may be of any open-channel section, such as indicated by the letters L, C, I, T or Z.

Inthe various FIGURES 4 to 8 the frame member is denoted by the reference numeral 6 and the tape by 11; while the spikes are indicated by 10 in FIGURE 4, by 12 in FIGURE 5 and by 4 in FIGURES 3 and 8. Any desired number of tapes 11 are attached to any of the frame members shown in FIGS. 4-7, to form a resilient support for superimposed upholstery.

In the construction illustrated in FIGURE 4, the spikes 10 are integral with and extend continuously along the frame member 6, so that the tape may be fastened thereto at any desired position along the member. The same applies to the construction illustrated in FIGURE 5, exnot integral with frame member 6, but are permanently afliXed thereto, as by welding.

In the construction illustrated in FIGURE 6 the lower flange S of the frame member 6 has a succession of flange lugs 13 punched out of it and bent back so as together to provide what is virtually a socket for the reception of the anchorage plate 3, the tail portion of which is received in this socket with a snug fit therewith. Here again the virtual socket formed by lugs 13 extends continuously along the frame member 6, with the result that the tape may be fastened at any desired position therealong.

In the construction illustrated in FIGURE 7 the lower flange 8 of the frame member 6 carries on the upper side thereof a continuous flange 14, spaced from the said lower flange so as to provide a socket for the reception I of the tail portion of the anchorage plate 1, which in this construction is of the form illustrated in FIGURE 1, although it could be of the form illustrated in FIGURE 2. Similarly, the anchorage plate 3 in the construction illustrated in FIGURE 6 could be of the form illustrated in FIGURE 1, with which, as will be understood, it is necessary to pre-form holes in the tape end to insert the fingers 2 of the plate in the manner already described with reference to the previously described forms of the invention.

The construction illustrated in FIGURE 8 is one in i which, as in the case of the construction illustrated in FIGURE 6, the socket for the reception of the tail portion of the anchorage plate 3a is provided by a succession of flange lugs 15 punched out of the lower flange of the frame member S. In this construction (FIGURE 8) the anchorage plate 3a (FIGURE 3) is formed at the midpoint of the tail portion of the plate with an embossment 5 which, when the plate is in position on the frame, is located between two of the lugs 15, which operate as a locating means for preventing lateral dislodgement of the plate along the rigid member.

While I have described and illustrated the preferred embodiments of the general form of my invention herein disclosed, I desire it to be understood that I do not limit my invention to the precise details of construction and arrangement shown by way of illustration, as these may be changed and modified by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of my invention or exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Means for detachably fastening a length. of elastic said member by virtue of the pul the latter lying in a plane tangential to the other flange of said member; said anchorage means comprising a rigid anchorage plate, detachably connected to said one flange, and carrying at least one integral projecting element which engages an adjacent end portion of said tape; and said anchorage plate being connected to said one flange by means of a plurality of spaced lugs, formed integral with said flange, which engage an edge portion of said plate opposite said projecting element.

2. Fastening means according to claim I, wherein said anchorage plate has a central embossment which fits between an adjacent pair of said lugs, when said plate is in position on said one flange, whereby said plate is secured against displacement lengthwise of said flange.

3. Means for fastening a length of elastic tape to a rigid frame having at least one pair of oppositely disposed side frame members, across which said tape is 4. Fastening means according to claim flange engaged by said plate comprises sections lying-in a different plane from so as to provide a socket into which the tail portion of said plate is received with a snug fit. i

6. Fastening means according to claim 3, wherein the said first element comprises integral fingers which project and engaging an end tape is anchored to l of said tape, with from the edge of said plate and extend through preformed holes provided in the tape end to receive them.

7. Fastening means according to claim 3, wherein the said first element comprises integral spikes which project from the edge of said plate and are forced through the thickness of the tape, in the operation of securing the latter to said frame member.

8. Means for fastening a length of elastic tape to a member, each member being of open channel cross-section with two substantially parallel flanges connected by an integral web; comprising: means for detachably anchoring at least one end of said tape to its supporting frame jacent one edge thereof at least one element which projects beyond the edge of its movement relatively to said plate; a tail portion, opposite said first element, which detach ably engages a free-edge portion of one of said flanges, opposite the point at which said tape is tangential to the other of said flanges, so as to secure said plate to its supporting frame member against dislodgement when said plate is subject to the pull of the tape.

9. Fastening means according to claim 8, wherein the said tail portion is engaged with said free-edge portion by means of a plurality of connecting lugs.

10. Fastening means according to claim 9, wherein said lugs are formed References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

